Health care reform not likely, says Gov. RitterThe combination of moral and economic opposition from multiple fronts has clearly caused the pro-socialized medicine officials to reconsider the political desirability of pushing through their agenda.
State policymakers probably are not going to bankroll any sweeping health care reforms through a tax increase, Gov. Bill Ritter told a group of supporters Saturday morning.
"The voters of this state are not ready for that conversation, because they think health care costs too much," Ritter told nearly 50 people at Traders Coffee and Tea near St. Mary's Hospital.
The governor said before the state can begin to think about sweeping health care reform, it has to show taxpayers it can more efficiently administer its existing programs.
...He said the state could adopt several smaller reforms suggested by a statewide health care advisory committee, set up by Gov. Bill Owens in 2006. The 208 Commission, named after the Senate bill that established it, will report its findings to the Legislature in late January.
In that case, the most interesting question will be what sort of smaller "reforms" they will attempt to push through without arousing concerted opposition.
This issue is not over by any means. But the tide may be slowly turning in the right direction.
